Tom Kosslow began his practice of Wado-Ryu karate in 1968 at the age of 18 while attending college in Nashville, Tennessee. His first Sensei was the late Cecil Patterson, President of the U.S. Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation. He trained in Nashville for two years before spending four years in military service. He continued his training during his military service and upon his discharge he relocated to Lakeland, Florida where he trained under the direction of Sensei Charles Parrish. Sensei Parrish awarded Tom his Shodan in 1975.

In 1976 Tom relocated to Atlanta, Georgia so that he might attend Graduate School at the University of Georgia. He holds a Masters, Specialist, and Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from that institution. Dr. Kosslow retired in 2000 after 8 years as an Elementary School Teacher and 17 years as an Elementary School Principal.

In 1969, and again in 1975, he was fortunate enough to be able to receive direct instruction from the late Hironori Otsuka. In the early 1980's he began his training under the supervision of Suzuki Sensei. In 1985 he traveled to Japan for the Wado-Ryu World Championships, commerating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Wado-Ryu, as the Captain of one of two U.S. Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Teams.

Upon the creation of the WIKF he formally joined that organization. In 1995 Tom again returned to Japan with Suzuki Sensei as a member of the International Friendship Team but was unable to compete because of an injury suffered before the tournament began. In 2005 he was advanced to his current rank of 7th Dan by Suzuki Sensei, making him the most senior WIKF student in The United States.

Dr. Kosslow is a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Karate League which is dedicated to promoting traditional karate competition in the State of Georgia. He has taught karate in Newnan, Georgia since 1976. He currently owns and operates the Newnan Karate Center. (www.newnankaratecenter.com)